Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani has said that making electronic transmission of election results mandatory will not, on its own, guarantee free and fair elections in Nigeria, urging broader institutional reforms beyond technological adjustments.
Sani made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television, responding to growing public criticism following the Senate’s decision not to make real-time electronic transmission of results a compulsory provision in the amended Electoral Act. The development has sparked debate among political stakeholders, civil society organisations and voters, many of whom view electronic transmission as central to enhancing electoral transparency.
While acknowledging the importance of technology in modern elections, Sani argued that credible polls depend on a wider framework of integrity, enforcement and political will. According to him, electronic transmission can improve transparency at the collation stage, but it does not address fundamental challenges such as vote buying, intimidation, violence, or manipulation at polling units.
He noted that electoral credibility is shaped by multiple factors, including the independence of electoral institutions, the conduct of political actors, the professionalism of security agencies and the willingness of the judiciary to adjudicate disputes impartially. Without strengthening these pillars, he suggested, technological reforms may offer only limited gains.
The debate over electronic transmission has intensified in recent years as Nigeria continues to refine its electoral processes. The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal marked significant steps toward digital integration in elections. However, controversies surrounding the consistency and reliability of result uploads during previous general elections have left segments of the public demanding stronger legal backing for real-time electronic transmission.
Critics of the Senate’s position argue that making electronic transmission mandatory would reduce opportunities for tampering during manual collation and enhance public confidence in election outcomes. They contend that ambiguity in the law could create room for discretionary interpretation by electoral officials, potentially undermining transparency.
Sani, however, maintained that even the most advanced technological systems can be compromised if the broader political culture remains flawed. He pointed to longstanding issues in Nigeria’s electoral environment, including logistical delays, weak enforcement of campaign finance regulations and the monetisation of the political process. In his view, these systemic problems require comprehensive reform rather than reliance on a single procedural amendment.
The former senator also emphasized the role of voters, urging citizens to hold political leaders accountable and resist inducements during elections. He argued that sustainable democratic progress depends not only on institutional reforms but also on civic consciousness and public participation.
The Senate’s refusal to mandate electronic transmission has drawn reactions from opposition parties and advocacy groups, some of whom have accused lawmakers of attempting to weaken transparency safeguards. Supporters of the Senate’s stance counter that flexibility in the law allows electoral authorities to adapt to operational realities, including network coverage limitations in remote areas.
Legal analysts observe that electoral reform in Nigeria has historically evolved through incremental adjustments rather than sweeping overhauls. Each election cycle often reveals gaps that prompt legislative review, but consensus on the scope and pace of reform remains elusive.
Sani’s intervention adds nuance to the ongoing debate, suggesting that while digital tools are valuable, they are not a substitute for structural accountability. His remarks reflect a broader concern among political observers that focusing exclusively on electronic transmission risks overlooking deeper governance challenges.
As discussions over amendments to the Electoral Act continue, attention is likely to remain fixed on the balance between technological innovation and institutional integrity. For many Nigerians, the central question is not only how results are transmitted, but whether the entire electoral ecosystem is capable of delivering outcomes that reflect the genuine will of the electorate.
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